Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-13


hmencan greatness is confined TO no
condition. nor dependent alone for its
growth and development. upon fayor1
Die Surroundings. The genius of our
national life beckons to usefulness and
honor those in every specific station of
life, and offers highest preferment 10
manly ambition and sturdy, honest
effort, chastened and consecrated by
patriotic hopes and aspirations. AS
long as this statue stands let il be
proudly remembered that to every
American citizen the way is open to
fame and station, until he
Moving up from high TO higher.
becomes on fortunes GROWING SLOPE
The pillar Of peoples hope,
The centre Of a worlds desire
a" Nor can we forget that 1t also
teaches our people a sad and distinct
lesson and the thoughtful citizen who
views its fair proportions cannot fail TO
recall the tragedy. death which brought
griei and mourning to every household
in the land. But while American citi-
2enship stands aghsst and affrighted
that murder and assassination should
Turk in the midst of free people and
strike down the head of their Govern
mont, fearless search and a discovery
Of the origin and hiding-place OF these
hateful and unnatural things should be
followed 10y the solemn resolve topurge
forever from our political methods and
from the operation of our Government
the perversions and misconceptions
which give birth to passionate and
bloody thoughts. IL from this hour
our admiration for the bravery and no'
bility of American manhood and our
faith in the possibilities and opportu-
mites of American citizenship be re
newed, if our appreciation of the bless
ing Of a restored Union and love for
our Government be strengthened, and
If our watchfulness against the dangers
of mad chase after partisan spoils he
quickened, the dedication of this statue
to the people Of the United States will
not be in vain.
Ex-Speaker Keller, of Ohio, then
delivered the Grafton, which was a long
and elaborate eulogium of the life and
character of Garfield.
During the delivery of his address the
President was frequently interrupted by
outbursts of applause. He spoke flu
emily in a clear voice which was audible
to most of the vast crowd that filled the
circle before the stand.
When he had concluded the band
played "Hail Columbia, and Rev. F.
ID. Power, who was pastor Of Garfeld's
church in this city, pronounced the
benediction. The troops were then dis
missed and the ceremonies came to an
end.
Secretaries Endicott and Whitney
came in during the delivery of the ora
ton. Mrs. Villas, who was also de-
laycd, took a seat beside Mrs. Cleve-
land, which had been vacated by the
President when he stepped forward to
begin bis address.
I he statue. which is of bronze, is the
design of Sculptor Ward, who also de-
signed the equestrian statute of Gene
raj Thomas in this city. 1t is ten feet
six inches in height, and represents
Garfield facing west in the act OF de-
livcring an address, with his right hand
resting on q column and manuscript
held in his left. The pose of the col
umn is easy and unconventional.
The recumbent ideal figures at each
corner of the triangular pedestal repre-
sent the student, the warrior, and the
statesman, typifying three epochs in
Garfeld's career. The bronze tablets
above the figures bear a globe, trum-
pet and sword, and a laurel wreath
enclosing the scales of Justice. The
inscriptions upon the shaft are placed
upon three sides, as follows:
Southwest face: "James A. Gar
field-1S31-1SSl."
On the southeast face "Major Gen
eTal L. S. v; Member of Congress !;
Senator and President of the United
States of America"
On the north face directed by his
comrades of the Society of the Army
of the Cumberland, May II, 1887.
The erection of the statue was au
thorized at meeting of the society in
Chattanooga in 1881. and nine members
were appointed to select a design and
superintend its construction. The
committee this morning paid over to
Sculptor Ward $50, 7lS in full settlement
Of his claim.